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Colorado lawmakers consider health care change

DENVER — Colorado is preparing to expand health assistance for low-income adults, but state lawmakers want to know how much it would cost.

A Senate committee is planning Thursday to examine a Republican proposal to put conditions on the looming Medicaid expansion. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper is planning to implement the expansion as part of the federal health care overhaul.

The GOP bill would require that no education funds be used to pay for the expansion. It’s the first time state lawmakers have a chance to talk about the price tag for expanding health care assistance for the needy.

Hickenlooper has said Colorado can afford the optional expansion, which would help more people receive health insurance.